I agree absolutely. If I don't want to look at catalogues, or follow a
discussion, I simply delete all messages with the appropriate subject
headings, without opening them. In less than a minute I am ready to
start opening the files which do interest me.
On 30 Mar 00, at 9:27, Eric Holzenberg wrote:
>Dear All,
>
>A primary goal of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section of ALA in this
>past year has been the forging of stronger ties with the Antiquarian
>Booksellers' Association of America. Rare book librarians and antiquarian
>booksellers have so much to offer each other outside the bounds of
>commerce, so much knowledge and experience to share, it seems fantastic
>that only now are the two major organizations in these fields beginning to
>develop educational programs and information sharing schemes, to our
>mutual benefit.
>
>The officers of RBMS are therefore dismayed by the recent turn of events,
>which seems to threaten the very existence of Exlibris, an independent
>electronic bulletin board where librarians, booksellers, collectors, and
>bibliographers have long met to discuss matters of mutual concern, to
>exchange information, and to learn from and about one another in an
>atmosphere usually characterized by generosity of spirit and genuine
>affection, even when we have not always agreed with one another.
>
>I know I speak for the RBMS Executive Committee, and I suspect that I
>speak for a good many rare book librarians as well, in regretting deeply
>Everett Wilkie's unilateral decision to ban catalogue announcements on
>Exlibris. It is clear from the posted responses that many listmembers
>(librarians, booksellers, and others) consider these announcements a
>valuable feature of Exlibris, and we think it is unfair to the list as a
>whole, as well as insulting to our bookseller colleagues specifically, to
>impose such a ban without discussion.
>
>I have asked Everett privately, and now urge him publicly, to begin that
>discussion immediately.
>
>Eric Holzenberg
>Chair, RBMS
>
>Director & Librarian
>The Grolier Club
>47 East 60th Street
>New York, NY 10022
>212/838-6690
>fax 212/838-2445
>ejh@grolierclub.org
>www.grolierclub.org
>
>